The fourth edition of the Sustainable Tourism Forum, one of the hubs of sustainability and corporate social responsibility in Italy, concluded successfully in Trento, with more than 100 participants. The event was celebrated at Palazzo Geremia in Trento, on the 27th of September, 2024, on World Tourism Day.
In the plenary session, Roi Ariel, General Manager at GSTC, discussed the role of Working Groups in advancing sustainable practices across the tourism industry. Additionally, the first GSTC certified district in Trentino was introduced by Stefania Clemente, Matteo Agnolin, Daniela Vecchiato, Silvia Passerini, and Stefano Ravelli, highlighting their collaborative efforts towards certification. Paola Frigo presented the corporate path towards sustainability of Trentino Marketing, showcasing the region’s strategic approach. Lastly, Umberto Martini, Professor at the University of Trento, emphasized the critical importance of sustainability in destination and tourism management, underscoring its relevance for long-term success.
The panel discussions addressed in the Sustainable Tourism Forum were:
- Sustainability Policies for Tourism Towards 2030: Between Green Claims and Nature Positive
- Tools for a Sustainable Tourism Supply Chain: From Sustainability Reports to Corporate Welfare Plans
- Addressing Overtourism with Certification: Between Business Innovation and Operational Limits
An in-person meeting of the GSTC Italy Working Group was held a day before the Forum, at the Palazzo Roccabruna, with more than 20 professionals who gathered to discuss the objectives and the role of the Italy WG in the next years.
The GSTC Italy Working Group is a network of Italian organizations that implement and promote international sustainability standards for tourism defined by GSTC. The group consists of: Etifor Srl Società Benefit, APT Valsugana, IDM Südtirol, Consorzio di Promozione Turistica del Tarvisiano, Coop. Turistica San Vigilio/San Martin – Dolomites, Ecoluxury Travel Srl, Viaggi dell’Elefante, Soc. Coop.Turistica Alta Badia, Virtou/Ways Tour, Territori Sostenibili, Ekita, Hospitality Team Srl Soc, Legambiente Nazionale APS. Find more information on GSTC Italy WG here.
“In an era where our actions have profound impacts on the environment and society, it is imperative that we, as leaders in tourism, prioritize sustainability in every decision we make. The Italy Working Group plays a crucial role in this mission, fostering collaboration and innovation across the sector at national level. We are looking forward to next year’s Forum on September 27th in Tarvisio,” says Stefano Ravelli, Chair of the GSTC Italy WG.
Carlo Runggaldier, CEO of San Vigilio San Martin Tourist Cooperative, emphasized that “our responsibility towards future generations is the engine that drives us to promote sustainability based on concrete values that inspire rather than impose.” This approach is essential for guiding meaningful change in our communities.
In this direction, Robert Kropfitsch, Business Development Manager for Territori Sostenibili, highlighted that “we are a community of coaches seeking improvement processes for a better future,” stressing that certification is not an end goal, but a tool to be calibrated within each context, whether it be destinations or economic operators.
Stefania Zanuso, Director for Virtou, then reminded us that “today we are the guardians of a legacy that must look to the future with respect and responsibility.” Therefore, finding effective and concrete solutions to share becomes an essential goal to activate a virtuous process of continuous improvement.
Finally, Paola Fagioli, Environmental Certification Expert for Legambiente, warned about the growing importance of certifications: “In the future, companies and destinations will increasingly be required to demonstrate their real sustainability. Obtaining a certification should be viewed as a starting point for implementing continuous improvements in their activities.”
Prior to the Forum, an in-person GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course was held in Trento, in collaboration with Etifor, organized by the GSTC Italy Working Group. The training was held on the 24th and 25th of September, where participants improved their sustainability skills learning alongside GSTC experts and fellow sustainable tourism practitioners. The GSTC Italy Working Group organized the course in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
The training, led by Federica Bosco, Sustainable Tourism Manager at Etifor and GSTC Official Trainer, offered expert guidance and practical insights to help tourism destinations and businesses in their sustainability journey.
“As GSTC Italy Working Group we are happy to offer Official GSTC Courses in Italian from the beginning of this year. We think that training is a fundamental driver for the spread of the GSTC standard. I was amazed by the level of interactions among participants, I am sure they will be great ambassadors in their organizations,” says Federica Bosco.
